I sometimes wonder how coal miners, farmers, dock workers, and iron workers were able to function in the days before supplements such as pre-workout drinks existed. I’m relieved that nobody told Rosie the Riverter she couldn’t start kicking ass and taking names without her pre-workout. “Sorry boss, I realize we need this battleship built but I’m all out of magical powder” probably wouldn’t be an acceptable reason for a slowdown in production. There was Nazi, Socialist, and Fascist ass to kick and those planes, tanks, and ships weren’t going to build themselves. Those folks did, (and do), the work regardless of whether they were hungry, exposed to cold or intense heat, thirsty, sick, or injured.

Sometimes I run into trainees that feel they can’t lift, run, roll, or bang unless they are well hydrated, or have eaten the proper ratio of macros, as well as taken their pre-workout. They just can’t get motivated without it. How about the thought that somewhere out there is a violent criminal offender that is waiting for the opportunity to prey on you and/or your loved ones?! When that day comes, will we tell the bad guy to give us a few minutes so our pre-workout can kick in before we get it on?! Murphy’s law tells us this is going to happen at the worst time for us. The day we haven’t eaten properly, hydrated enough, and aren’t on our “A” game. That’s exactly the day the violent criminal actors will come knocking. Here’s the thing; nobody cares if we’re not ready. In that moment we’ve got to bring it! We are all we’ve got no one is coming to help us, and if recent trends are any indicator most people are just going to video the event and post it on YouTube or Facebook live it. They won’t help us.

Imagine this for a moment; the only thing between this violent criminal piece of shit offender and your loved ones is you. Maybe it’s someone you know or are aware of, they’ve stalked and threatened you, your significant other and/or your family for a long time, now they are acting on their threats, and you were just waiting for this day. Maybe it’s someone(s) you’ve never seen before but for some reason they selected you. Are you badass enough? Are you ready? There is only one acceptable answer to that question.

With that thought in mind, do we need magical powders to get it up for another session on the mat or in the ring, to dry fire, hit the weight room chasing those numbers, or do another conditioning session. Loving all this stuff we do, and reaping all the benefits this pursuit brings should be enough motivation to do work however, on those days when we’re dragging ass? Look around at the life we’ve built, the loved ones we cherish, and think about those violent criminal actors that would take it all away. Fuck that noise. The rush I get when I think about that day is greater than any powder that can be found on your local supplement store shelf. I’m sure you feel the same way.

The vast majority of the time I need no assistance to do the work. The positive benefits of this endeavor on my life are countless, and seeing those benefits daily are usually enough. However, on those odd days when I’m just not feeling it I don’t reach for a tub of the latest proprietary blend. I look inside and remind myself of the martial nature of this pursuit. That’s all I need to obliterate excuses, crush weaknesses, and prepare for the day. Anything else just gets in the way.